Hey there, fellow parents! Welcome to FirstCry Intelli Education’s Parent Education initiative, where we’re all about cracking the code to raising a 21st century ready child. Today, we’ve got a panel of badass moms who have been slaying the parenting game, and we’re here to talk about one of the most important aspects of parenting – raising a confident child. Joining us is an education coach with 46 years of experience under her belt, Mrs. Purnima Shetye – the powerhouse of raising confident kids! With her invaluable insights and years of experience as a parenting coach, Purnima knows how to bring out the best in children and mould them into confident individuals. So, buckle up and get ready to take some notes from the best in the game!
So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to learn some new age parenting skills that will help your child thrive in the 21st century!
Confidence – the holy grail of parenting. We all want our children to have it, but what does it actually mean to raise and nurture a confident child? According to our expert panel of moms and education coach, it’s all about creating a safe and loving environment where children can be themselves. And let’s not forget about praise – because let’s be real, even adults need a pat on the back sometimes. But beyond that, confidence means being self-aware and comfortable in your own skin. It means knowing your strengths and weaknesses and being okay with both. And when children have this foundation, they can make decisions with surety, and navigate any situation with ease. So, the way to going about this is creating a space where our children can thrive and be confident in who they are. It’s the greatest gift we can give them for the future.
But how do we help our kids find their self-worth?
According to our expert moms and guide, it’s all about creating a safe and nurturing space for our children to grow and explore. It’s about being accepting of their choices, even if they may differ from our own. It’s about having open and honest conversations with our children and encouraging them to express themselves freely. As parents, it’s crucial to create a safe space for our children to express themselves without fear of judgement, which eventually will lead to them discovering their voice and self-worth.
We also come across the question of whether children are born with confidence or that is something that is learned or inculcated?
Children are born with endless possibilities, including the potential for confidence. But just like a plant needs the right environment to grow, children need the right environment and treatment to build their confidence. It’s like being a superhero with superpowers but not knowing how to use them. With the right guidance and nurturing, those superpowers can be harnessed for good, and the same goes for confidence. Don’t worry if you feel like you’ve been neglecting your little sapling of confidence. It’s never too late to start nurturing it and helping it flourish!
The environment plays an important role, but what kind of environment at home or at school should be created to make a child confident, especially in the early years?
So, it’s true what they say, the early bird catches the worm. In this case, the early years catch the confidence. That’s why it’s important to create the right environment at home and school during those formative years. If you want your child to be confident, then you need to be confident. It’s that simple! It’s not just about what we tell them, but it’s about what they see us doing. It’s like laying the foundation for a building. You want a strong foundation, right? Well, in the same way, you want a strong foundation for your child’s confidence. So, create an environment at home that fosters confidence. And if you’re a teacher, create a classroom environment that is positive, supportive, and encourages risk-taking. Remember, confidence is not something that can be taught. It is something that is learned by doing. So, give your children the opportunities to do things, to take risks, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. That’s how you create confident children who can take on the world!
Kids also get influenced by what their friends are doing, how do we go about making them confident in their actions while assuring them that their friends are not wrong either?
Ah, the struggle of fitting in! It’s something we all face at some point in our lives, isn’t it? But as parents, we can help our children navigate this tricky terrain. First things first, let your child know that every household has its own way of doing things, and that’s perfectly fine. This way, they won’t feel pressured to conform to their friends’ expectations all the time. Encourage them to stay true to themselves while also respecting others’ differences. With a little guidance, your child will learn to strike the right balance and find their place in the world.
As young parents, we’d like to get our hands on some activities to about building our kids’ confidence. What kind of activities should we indulge in?
First things first, it’s not about the activity itself, but how you approach it. Let your child do it independently, even if they mess up. Be their guide and support, not their personal assistant. Whether it’s building a tower or finger painting, do it with them, not for them.
Now, let’s talk about tower-building. Your little one is trying to construct a tower that would make the Eiffel Tower look small, but it keeps tumbling down. Trust me, I know how heart-breaking this can be for a 20-month-old. But the key here is how you react. Don’t make a big deal out of the fall. Instead, say, “Oh, it’s okay. Let’s do it again!” This way, your child won’t think of it as a mistake or failure, but as a part of the learning process. Remember, the important thing is to be there for your child, as a guide and support.
Sometimes between two children there can be a lot of anger involved. How do we go about this?
As a parent, it’s natural to wonder how much anger is okay for your kids. With a 20-month-old, tantrums are par for the course. But what about a six-year-old? While some of their outbursts may just be tantrums, a lot of it could be stemming from what they’re exposed to – from TV shows to their environment.
That’s why it’s crucial for us to role model healthy ways of dealing with negative emotions. If they see us handling our own anger in constructive ways, they’ll learn to do the same. Plus, when kids know how to cope with life’s challenges, they’ll become more confident and less likely to lash out in frustration. So, take a deep breath, and show your kids how to handle their emotions like a pro. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
How do we teach our daughter about healthy living without body-shaming her? She keeps saying that she is happy the way she is, with her weight, how do we tackle this?
Kudos to your daughter for being confident in her own skin – we love to see it! While healthy body is important, let’s focus on overall wellness. Encourage her to eat healthy and move her body. As for the anybody else’s comments, let her know you’ve got her back. No need to stress her out about body image at such a young age!
Success and failure, are both a part of life. So how do we make sure that my child doesn’t lose confidence, even when they are failing?
Well, to begin, instead of using the word “failure,” let’s call it “learning opportunities.” Your child is either successful or has a learning opportunity. Even successful people learn and make mistakes. When we attach negative meanings to words like “failure,” it can hurt their confidence. When we fail, we get a chance to figure out what went wrong and try again. So, tell your child that they’re either succeeding or learning, and that’s perfectly fine. Let’s learn and try again!
As a parent, how can we ensure that our child maintains a balance between confidence and overconfidence? And what should we do if they cross the line?
Kids crave attention and appreciation just like adults. But we’ve learned to control it, and they haven’t. So, when your child seeks appreciation, give it to them, but focus on their effort, not just the outcome. Praising their attitude and approach will help them understand that it’s not just about winning, it’s about how you play the game. That’s how they’ll learn to be confident without becoming overly so.
Why do tantrums happen and what are the mechanisms that we can use to curb those tantrums?
So, your little one is growing up and discovering their body’s potential. This leads to tantrums because they want to do more than they’re capable of. Hunger, tiredness, and sleepiness can also trigger them. How to deal with it? First, take care of their basic needs. Then, acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that you’re there for them. Hold them close and move forward together. Remember, tantrums are normal and part of growing up!
If reading through an article is not your cup of tea, we have got your back. Watch the video below for a crisp conversation with the expert herself. Mrs Shetye, packed with practical tips and real-life examples, will guide you through the journey of raising a confident and self-assured child.
In conclusion, raising a confident child in the 21st century is no easy feat, but with a little bit of effort and a lot of love, it is definitely possible. It requires us to shift our focus from results to effort, from failure to learning, and from criticism to encouragement. It’s about creating a safe and supportive environment where children can explore, experiment and make mistakes without fear of judgement or rejection. And above all, it’s about being there for our kids, through thick and thin, tantrums and triumphs, and showing them that we believe in them no matter what.
